The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution tabled by South Africa to defend Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya’s right to participate in sports. The world champion is currently challenging proposals by the International Association of Athletics Federations to restrict natural testosterone levels in female athletes.
Kylie Kiunguyu
Politics and Society #NoWhiteSaviours: The white saviour complex
Kelsey Nielsen and Ugandan Olivia Alaso have launched the “No White Saviours” campaign to challenge the way in which development and evangelical work is being done on the African continent. They aim to highlight the underlying discrimination in development narratives and the relationship between races.
Arts and Culture The Ghanaian village where childbirth is prohibited
None of the about 5 000 inhabitants of Mafi Dove, a village in southern Ghana, was born there. The village is considered to be holy land and consequently has a myriad of customs and traditions that have been upheld throughout its existence. One of these is the belief that childbirth in the village is an offence to the gods.
Africans rising Aïssa Doumara Ngatansou; winner of the first Simone Veil International Prize
Cameroonian women’s rights activist Aïssa Doumara Ngatansou was awarded the Simone Veil International Prize for her commendable efforts in promoting the rights of Cameroonian women.
Africans rising Meet Dana Mroueh, the Ivorian eco-friendly chocolatier
Ivorian chocolate maker Dana Mroueh is making organic, eco-friendly chocolate in an industry that poses a threat to the environment because it spurs the particularly aggressive deforestation in Ivory Coast. Less than 4% of the country’s forest land remains – and what is left may be completely felled by 2030.
African identities Lawsuit against Germany over Namibian genocide rejected
US district Judge Laura Taylor Swain of the New York federal court has dismissed a lawsuit by Namibia’s Herero and Nama tribes seeking reparations from Germany for the genocide of their ancestors.
Africans rising African Women Revolutionaries: Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti was a teacher, political campaigner, women’s rights activist and traditional aristocrat in Nigeria. She was seen as the doyenne of female rights in Nigeria, gaining her the moniker “Lioness of Lisabi” for her political activism. However, like many other female leaders, her contributions and legacy has been muted.
Politics and Society African entrepreneurs fighting food waste
Despite an abundance of food when production conditions are favourable, the intermittent supply of power and poor storage facilities often mean that staple foods such as vegetables and fruit are lost after being harvested. Two African entrepreneurs are working to curb this waste.
Lifestyle Dark Juices and Aphrodisiacs: A glimpse into the sensual lives of queer Africa
Seeking to mainstream the often othered narratives of queer women and non-binary persons “Dark Juices and Aphrodisiacs” is an anthology that explores the sensual lives of queer Africa. Using some well-known and some new voices from across the continent, the anthology opens up a new outlook on pleasure.